Postdoctoral Positions in Improving Land-Atmosphere Interactions in the GFDL climate and Earth System models

The Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Program at Princeton University, in association with NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), seeks postdoctoral or more senior researchers for new projects exploring the implications of sub-grid land heterogeneity for land-climate interactions, particularly for (1) atmospheric boundary layer and convection and (2) land surface radiation exchanges.

The first position sought is in association with the Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. The candidate will work collaboratively with investigators at both institutions and other national climate modeling labs to assess improvements to the models through existing diagnostic tools and the development of methods for characterizing land-atmosphere coupling and interaction. Additional work will include focused assessments of diurnal-scale land-atmosphere behavior at data-rich locations in conjunction with coordinated large-eddy simulations performed at Duke University.

The second position will focus on advancing the representation of atmosphere-to-land radiation exchange processes in the NOAA/GFDL ESM4, including the effects of mountain shading and reflections between mountains and snow, canopy air and snow impurities, and interactions of radiation with vegetation in complex terrain. The candidate(s) will collaborate with the atmospheric radiation experts at the University of California, Los Angeles as well as other national climate modeling centers.

Positions will support newly funded, interdisciplinary, multi-agency Land-Atmosphere interactions ‘Climate Process Team (CPT)’ projects. The ideal candidates have to demonstrate a strong background in Earth system modeling and climate science, as well as experience using and analyzing numerical models and/or large observational datasets.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in atmospheric physics, hydrology, meteorology, Earth system science, climate studies, or related fields. The initial appointment is for one year with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and available funding.

Princeton University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.